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“We definitely need to create greater awareness about the methods available to supporters to raise a complaint if they see, hear or are the victim of LGBT discrimination.” “It’s difficult to know whether there are more incidents occurring or if fans have become more knowledgable about reporting to us,” Roisin Wood, director of Kick It Out, told the Guardian. Between the start of this season and 28 December, there were nine reported cases, with two proven so far.
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During the 2013-14 season, 12 cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation occurring in the professional game were reported to the organisation with five proven. Statistics compiled by the equality campaigners Kick It Out show that homophobic abuse at football matches in this country remains a prevalent issue and, worryingly, could be on the rise.
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Hopefully it is spreading the message to the whole LGBT community that the Emirates welcomes them – and the more that come the more we can normalise the environment there.” For that to happen visibility is key, and that’s why the banner was a big win for us. “The way to overcome that fear is to normalise homosexuality in English football and make the presence of openly gay fans in the stands – as well as openly gay players, managers and referees on the pitch – a complete non-issue. Proud Lilywhites members enjoy the atmosphere at a five-a-side match to celebrate the group’s one-year anniversary. Football remains an unaccepting environment for gay people and for our members part of the reason for joining Gay Gooners is to have the assurance of safety in numbers whenever they go to a game. Also, how often do you see two men or two women holding hands at a match here? Rarely, if ever, and that’s because those who’d like to simply don’t feel it’s safe to do so. “Just look at the ‘gay banter’ Brighton fans still have to endure. “There’s no doubt discrimination still exists among supporters here,” insists Gay Gooners’ media coordinator, Dave Raval. Yet their very existence is also a shame, highlighting that even in 2015 homophobia remains a significant enough problem in English football that fans from the LGBT community feel they need representation and protection. The growing strength of Proud Lilywhites and Gay Gooners is welcome news, as is that of the other recognised LGBT supporters groups that have been set up across the country in recent years – Canal Street Blues (Manchester City), LFC LGBT (Liverpool), Pride of Irons (West Ham), Proud and Palace (Crystal Palace), Proud Canaries (Norwich City), Rainbow Toffees (Everton) and Rainbow Tractors (Ipswich Town).
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Photograph: David Levene for The Guardian Gay Gooner Dave Raval proudly poses outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
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They also maintain a strong relationship with their club, one that led to a rainbow banner being in residence at the Emirates – a new one was unveiled before Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Aston Villa there on Sunday – as well as space being given over in the programme and through other official channels for publicity of the group’s message. Gay Gooners have been running for a year longer and boast more than 250 members. “That’s very important to us and hopefully over the next 12 months our relationship will grow even stronger.” “Spurs organised for Steffen to be at the five-a-side and regularly allow us to have pieces in the matchday programme and do stuff around the stadium aimed at spreading our message, such as handing out leaflets, which we’ll again do before Saturday’s derby,” says Proud Lilywhites co-chair Christina Paouros. Now the group is 130-strong and has an official relationship with the club, one that has led to a rainbow flag being permanently on show at White Hart Lane and group officials maintaining regular contact with Spurs board members. A year ago, Proud Lilywhites had only 10 members and aspirations of working towards making the experience of watching Tottenham a wholly welcoming and safe one for LGBT fans. In truth, the thrashing of local foe mattered less to those on the winning side – including hat-trick hero Laura Bint – than the fact they had a reason to stage the game in the first place. The celebratory five-a-side match in London’s Edmonton was refereed by Tottenham coach and former midfielder Steffen Freund.